WASHINGTON – Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) today introduced H.R. 1059, the Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act. The bill would require able-bodied adults without dependents who receive Medicaid benefits to work or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week. This change could save taxpayers more than $100 billion over 10 years.
“The goal of this bill is straightforward: if you’re a healthy adult on Medicaid, we want to make sure you have every opportunity to find employment that leads to better health coverage. Welfare programs shouldn’t incentivize people against working. This is about empowering Americans—helping them become independent, thrive in the workforce, and reach their highest potential,” said Congressman Crenshaw.
“Medicaid doesn’t work the way it should. Able-bodied adults without dependents are better off with jobs than with hand-outs, and so are their communities and American taxpayers. My Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act would help pave a path out of poverty for millions of Americans,” said Senator Kennedy, who introduced the bill in the U.S. Senate.
Background:
- As the U.S. has seen a decrease in the labor force participation rate since 2000, the number of able-bodied adults enrolled in Medicaid has rapidly grown. Per a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate, approximately 15 million Medicaid recipients would be subject to work requirements under a similar policy.
- The CBO estimates that Medicaid work requirements would save $109 billion over 10 years.
- A 2023 Axios-Ipsos survey revealed that 63% of Americans, including 49% of Democrats, supported work requirements for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits.
Congressman Crenshaw’s legislation is being piloted in Medicaid to align with the procedural requirements of budget reconciliation, which allows fiscal measures to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and pass with a simple majority. Policies included in budget reconciliation must adhere strictly to budgetary implications, as governed by the Byrd rule.
Click here to read the full bill text.